Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you very much. I’m really pleased that the department is moving this forward. I’m not too sure about facilities that were invested in last year, if the intent of the proposal was geared toward using that facility or is the department open to other proposals that may be out there? Thank you.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I was very pleased to hear the Minister of Health and Social Services announce in this House funding and supports to introduce on-the-land healing programs. Finally we are returning to this much needed land-based Aboriginal cultural healing environment.

In October 2014 I spoke in this House about the successful on-the-land program at Six Mile Creek outside of Fort Simpson that should serve as a territorial model for early intervention of alcohol and drug abuse amongst the youth.

A pilot program had 22 students. It was designed to build youth identity...

Thank you very much. Yes, I was leaning towards more the Human Resource Strategy. I know that the Minister has done a lot on it, but I think particular attention should be paid to the retention strategy. I don’t know if they’re adding some extra benefits or more breaks for these workers in the smaller communities. Maybe the Minister can speak to those aspects of it. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I spoke in this House before about mental health workers in my region and the inability to keep them. I just want to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about what kind of retention strategy do we have for our mental health and social workers in our regions and communities.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Today I am pleased to provide Members with an update on my recent trip with Minister McLeod to the Canada Winter Games and the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Sport meeting in Prince George, British Columbia.

It was great to see Team NWT athletes march into the opening ceremonies. They were so proud and excited to be representing their communities and the Northwest Territories at this important national sporting event. I also want to acknowledge my constituents Ms. Val Gendron, mission staff, and her daughter Madison Pilling, who are both there with the...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just an opportunity to do some general comments myself. I think I spoke earlier in the House, too, about the mental health workers and a retention strategy for keeping them in our very small communities. I believe it’s important because it has an impact on the residents. I spoke most particularly about Fort Liard, especially when there are times of distress or their lives have been upset. In the past, our mental health workers haven’t been there. I do have to say, like any other situation, staff have been going to Fort Liard to assist them at the moment, but...

I’m glad that the department recognizes it. Most particularly in Fort Liard it was during the spring and summer months when there’s a family crisis or life upsets, usually that’s when the mental health workers are not available. We’ve got the opportunity where there’s a contractor out of Fort Nelson that comes up, but when it comes to something like that, consistency is key. It would be nice to have somebody that’s there. So I wonder if this new Mental Health Strategy will include a retention component and a component that addresses coverage when there’s nobody available in the communities...

I just wanted to thank Minister McLeod and the coaches, mission staff and the sports volunteers who make the athletes’ experience at the Canada Games a success, and good luck to Team NWT for the next 10 days as they proudly represent us. Mahsi cho.

I’d like to thank the Minister for that answer. In addressing the homelessness, I think part of the issue in Fort Simpson, as well, is the lack of public housing. I indicated in my list, particularly for single people there’s a list that’s almost 30 people long. In fact, a couple of the applicants have been on that list for about seven years.

So I would just like to know, how are we addressing increasing public units in the community of Fort Simpson, especially in light of there being a private developer that has 12 to 14 units and I think they may be shut down within the next year or two, as...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in the day I spoke about the need to get more public housing units in Fort Simpson as well as begin a plan about doing a homelessness complex. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation – I know that we do have a Homelessness Strategy – what kind of supports are there in the Homelessness Strategy that can help with projects such as this. Thank you.